I just wanted to ask about the fat redistribution issues regarding PI'S. First off, does everyone end up getting it while on PI's? If so, how long does it take before you notice it? Can you get rid of it? Is there another combination of meds that one can take so that they can avoid this fat redistribution problem? Thank You so much for your help

Response from Dr. Feinberg

Not everyone gets a paunch on HIV meds and we don't know how to predict who will have this problem and who won't. Also, this problem isn't limited to PIs; it can happen on other HIV medicines and has occurred in HIV+s on no HIV medicine as well. Once fat redistribution occurs, it is difficult to change it. Since we don't really know what causes this fat redistribution (it could be due to HIV itself and has been seen in people on no meds), there is no combination of medicines that is guaranteed not to be associated with this problem.

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